As you are aware, wine is my go-to beverage. No surprise there! However, I’ve always had an affinity for a good gin and tonic, although cheap rum and Coke, “7 & 7,” Southern Comfort and a host of other mixed drinks were imbibed during my college days and beyond (heck, I even drank Scotch and water at my wedding reception!). Truth be told, happy hour at the beach wasn’t as happy if I didn’t have a cool G&T with lime while gazing at the ocean from my perch on a comfy sand chair. And now? I’ve been exploring different gin cocktails that are worth writing about. Enjoy the read and whip up a few drinks soon!

Not familiar with gin yet? It’s a distilled alcoholic beverage that is predominately flavored with juniper berries. It is typically clear in color and has a distinct herbal and botanical taste. Gin is a popular spirit that has a rich history and is widely consumed around the world. The distillation process of gin involves the infusion of botanical ingredients, such as juniper berries and other herbs and spices, into a neutral spirit. This process gives gin its unique flavor profile and aromatic qualities. CocktailWave.com

Gin & Tonic Trio at CalWise Spirits Co. in Paso Robles, California

When our air conditioner decided to stop working, hundreds of wine bottles stored at home needed to be packed up and taken to our temperature controlled wine storage lockers in a nearby town. After the Saturday afternoon mission was accomplished, my husband and I decided to stop by CalWise Spirits Co. located in Paso Robles’ Tin City, for a liquid respite from the searing heat. My husband had a flight of five intriguing whiskeys and I decided to have the gin flight aptly named Gin & Tonic Trio. Yes, please!

Three one-ounce portions of Big Sur gins distilled on premise were served over ice with a small can of Fever Tree premium tonic water to pour as needed. The gins were distilled from wine grapes and native herbs including juniper, sage, yerba santa, bay, and elderberry with the intent to “bring you the experience of a Big Sur hike in a bottle.” (Now that’s my kind of hike!) Gins in the flight were the Classic, Anniversary and Blood Orange and each was refreshing and flavorful. The Blood Orange Gin, my favorite, was tangy, tart, slightly sweet and complex – it “had my name on it” and I purchased a bottle.

Grand Trunk Cocktail at Long Road Distillers in Grand Haven, Michigan     

During the summer, my husband and I spent a week in Grand Haven, Michigan, a harbor town with plenty of tourists, beautiful sunsets, a lively restaurant scene and more than a few beer and cocktail havens.

At Long Road Distillers, I indulged in the Grand Trunk Cocktail comprised of Sovereign Gin, Sauvignon Blanc syrup, basil and super foam then garnished with fresh basil and a dried lime wheel. Not too sweet, the basil and lime notes complemented the juniper flavors of the gin. What a delicious ride!

For those not from Michigan, the Grand Trunk Western Railroad Company operated in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Currently, its primary mainline between Chicago and Port Huron, Michigan is a connection between railroad interchanges in Chicago and rail lines in eastern Canada and the northeast regions of the United States. Years ago, the railroad went through Grand Haven, but no more. As an homage to its existence, there’s a cocktail named after it.

The Fitzgerald at New Holland Distillers in Grand Haven, Michigan

Down the block from Long Road Distillers, is New Holland Distillers with multiple locations in Michigan. The Grand Haven spot opened during the summer and when we arrived, plenty of guests were already soaking up the cozy atmosphere. With a broad menu of handcrafted cocktails, adult “slushees,” canned cocktails, ciders and a few wines, this was a terrific watering hole for locals and tourists alike with live music and offerings of cocktail classes, too.

My cocktail this time around was The Fitzgerald, with a choice of gin (I chose Knickerbocker Blueberry Gin), lemon juice, simple syrup and angostura bitters. Easy drinking with herbal, fruit and tart notes, another guest saw my cocktail and asked the mixologist for her own – FOMO to be sure.

Apparently, the history of The Fitzgerald began just a few decades ago. Dale Degroff, a bartender at the iconic Rainbow Room in New York City, created the cocktail in the 1990s. Originally, it was called Gin Thing, but a customer suggested that it have a literary name since the Hemingway cocktail was a popular choice at the restaurant. The rest is cocktail history and now The Fitzgerald is a classic.

Cheers! ~ Cindy

You love gin, too? Read about one of my recent finds, Revivalist Garden Gin, in my article HERE. 

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